Mohammad Rafique barely escaped disciplinary ction ten months after he was forced to fly back home from Harare following a heated exchange with his captain Habibul Bashar.

The experienced left-arm spinner, who missed the first three one-day games because of a strained hamstring, lost his composure for the second time while going through a fitness test at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

This time the leading wicket-taker of the country engaged in a verbal war with team physio Robbie Hunt at the latter stage of a gruelling one-hour fitness test.

A visibly excited Rafique, who was at that time practising running between the wickets, furiously raised his bat at Hunt before fitness trainer Stuart Karpinnen intervened.

The unsavory incident stunned members of both the Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams, who were also training at the time.

Rafique then walked off the ground with his head hanging over his shoulder and stayed inside the dressing room for the reminder of the training.

A visibly disturbed Hunt, on the other hand, kept quiet for the rest of the session and refused to talk to reporters while rushing back to the dressing room.

Although both Rafique and Hunt did not speak, it was assumed that the trouble started after the Australian physio said something that apparently offended Rafique.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore and Habibul Bashar tried to play down the incident in an attempt to uphold the spirit of the team ahead of the crucial fourth one-day match on January 29.

But Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who was batting in the nets when the incident took place, certainly enjoyed the episode.

Taibu, who is leading the five-match series 2-1, refused to make any comment but with a broad smile on his face said: "I have curiously looked at what happened in the middle."

However, in the end the Bangla-desh team management after a series of discussions brokered a truce with chief selector Faruque Ahmed playing the role of peacemaker.

"Here is an announcement for you that Rafique has passed the fitness test and he has been included in the 14-member squad for the last two games replacing left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak," he said while confirming that Rafique and Hunt had put the incident behind them.

"I have talked to both Rafique and Hunt and all they wanted to say was they were friends again. Whatever happened today can happen to any team. But I can tell you that they shook hands and wanted to get on with the business of cricket," the chief selector told reporters.

But the uncalled for incident had a bearing on training as the cricketers, who flew into Dhaka from Chittagong in the morning, nonchalantly played a game of football before engaging in a monotonous drill.

A witty Whatmore however said that the training was a spirited one.

Bashar, on the other hand, was totally focused on tomorrow's day-night clash at the premier venue of the country.

"We have won the last game comfortably in Chittagong but still there are areas we need to improve on," said the 32-year-old adding that it was not only the middle-order that was not getting the runs but also the bowling at times was giving away too many runs.

Asked what was going wrong with Mohammad Ashraful, who has been a flop in the series so far, Bashar blamed the nature of the wicket.

"Ashraful is a stroke-maker who loves to play his shots. But the wickets we have played on in Chittagong and Dhaka were not ideal for stroke play," said Bashar.

The Bangladesh captain admitted that the toss was vital on this kind of slow surface but expressed his desire to complete a successful run chase after two futile attempts.

"We want to successfully chase in at least one game just to prove that we are a better side than Zimbabwe."

But when asked whether he would field first if he won the toss tomorrow, Bashar replied in the negative.

The dashing right-hander however admitted that he would have dearly loved an off-spinner in the side but he was ready to play with the available resources.

I read about the incident in BDkhela and they wrote something of that nature as well. They wrote that Rafiq raised his bat while screaming, "shut up, shut up "!! to Hunt and charged him. This type of things keep happening to him. He must be a professional. Hunt has a job to do. So does Rafiq. Hunt's job is to asses whether a player with physical question mark is fit enough to play or not. He is paid to do that. In any case, its totally unacceptable to even threaten anyone with physical attacks, regardless of what is going on in one's personal life. Heck, you don't attack your colleague at work since things are not well at home. You have to be a professional about it. He has develpoed a pattern of bahaviour which is troublesome in the context of a team sport. It will surely effect the younger players and not to mention the opposition who must have enjoyed it. And some people want him to be the captain!! Geat cricketer no doubt.

Fazal

January 27, 2005, 01:23 PM

I see a pattern here based on other small incidents in the past.

Rafique needs professional help to cope with his emotions. The sooner Rafique, BCB and his fans realize that, the better for every one.

p.s. now don't start bashing me a as rafique-hater for saying that.

Edited on, January 27, 2005, 6:24 PM GMT, by Fazal.

Blah

January 27, 2005, 01:23 PM

This is extremely unfortunate. Regardless of his performance, he should be severely punished for this. Threatening someone physically, especially if that person is one of the team, is absolutely unacceptable. And this is not the first time he has done it.

Blah

AsifTheManRahman

January 27, 2005, 01:24 PM

:) and i, with a broad smile on my face, recall the bashing i got a few days ago for suggesting that it is not unnatural for this, or any other team for that matter, to have internal problems.

rafique has it in his blood to get outrageous at times.

this kind of stuff always happens when we are about to win a series against zimbabwe. very sad.

hope this doesn't affect the team performance on the field. most probably it won't, since the coach and captain have taken the correct move.

Edited on, January 27, 2005, 6:25 PM GMT, by AsifTheManRahman.

AsifTheManRahman

January 27, 2005, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Blah
This is extremely unfortunate. Regardless of his performance, he should be severely punished for this. Threatening someone physically, especially if that person is one of the team, is absolutely unacceptable. And this is not the first time he has done it.

Blah

maybe after the series, for the sake of the team.

AsifTheManRahman

January 27, 2005, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by Beamer
I read about the incident in BDkhela and they wrote something of that nature as well. They wrote that Rafiq raised his bat while screaming, "shut up, shut up "!! to Hunt and charged him. This type of things keep happening to him. He must be a professional. Hunt has a job to do. So does Rafiq. Hunt's job is to asses whether a player with physical question mark is fit enough to play or not. He is paid to do that. In any case, its totally unacceptable to even threaten anyone with physical attacks, regardless of what is going on in one's personal life. Heck, you don't attack your colleague at work since things are not well at home. You have to be a professional about it. He has develpoed a pattern of bahaviour which is troublesome in the context of a team sport. It will surely effect the younger players and not to mention the opposition who must have enjoyed it. And some people want him to be the captain!! Geat cricketer no doubt.

we don't know what Hunt said, mind you. therefore we cannot imply that rafique's actions were an aftermath of what happened to his stores a couple of days ago.

nevertheless, he should be punished. the management has made the correct decision for the time being - the whole team shouldn't suffer for one person. however, the matter should be looked at right after the series.

mahbubH

January 27, 2005, 01:32 PM

"Rafique for Captain" threads may not pop up that often after this! Good for BC.

Bangla Mostan

January 27, 2005, 01:38 PM

Rafique needs to calm down, bangladesh need to play better simple as that...the situation they are in is ludicrous....Zimbabwe are clearly a much better and improved side then Desh.....

I fear when Bangladesh come to England....how long will they last and would they be able to put up a fight?:flag:

paco

January 27, 2005, 01:44 PM

Rafique seems to be going thru some bad times - with his market being destroyed and all - but he does seem to be a little too hot headed for his own good

pagol-chagol

January 27, 2005, 01:44 PM

you guys are making a big deal out of a small incident. This won't change anything.

Passionate & aggressive people are needed for some functions in sports as well as life. These traits help them become successful at what they do where there talents may not have been enough. The sportrs industry is flooded with superstars who have tamper problems.

You want a dragon, it'll blow fire.

Blah

January 27, 2005, 01:47 PM

Yeah we need someone to break dev's head next time to show his passion towards cricket.

point being: ludicrous.

Blah

akabir77

January 27, 2005, 02:20 PM

Why this happen to us over and over again just when he have a chance to come back... Like last time when it happen we were 1-1 with this zim and then we lost the game and series now it happen again??? is there anything going with rawfiq and zim team or what??????

He should be asked to take anger management task. I think he is under tremendous stress especially with his market demolished a few days ago; but nevertheless he should not have outburst like this.

pagol-chagol

January 27, 2005, 02:52 PM

Originally posted by akabir77
Why this happen to us over and over again just when he have a chance to come back... Like last time when it happen we were 1-1 with this zim and then we lost the game and series now it happen again??? is there anything going with rawfiq and zim team or what??????

Rafiq - the angry cricketer. Let him beat the Crap out of Zimbabwe bowlers !!!

Frankly speaking, we don't know the conversation between Rafiq and the Physiotherapist to judge him for the rude conduct.

aftitabi

January 27, 2005, 03:16 PM

Originally posted by pagol-chagol

Passionate & aggressive people are needed for some functions in sports as well as life. These traits help them become successful at what they do where there talents may not have been enough. The sportrs industry is flooded with superstars who have tamper problems.

You want a dragon, it'll blow fire.

You're really talking like pagol-chagol. Rafiq had a quarrel with bashar during the last zim tour cause he didn't think Rafiq was better than Ray Price and BD lost the next match to loose the series. Now that is quit a positive effect of aggressive nature.

Edited on, January 27, 2005, 8:16 PM GMT, by aftitabi.

AsifTheManRahman

January 27, 2005, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by pagol-chagol
Originally posted by akabir77
Why this happen to us over and over again just when he have a chance to come back... Like last time when it happen we were 1-1 with this zim and then we lost the game and series now it happen again??? is there anything going with rawfiq and zim team or what??????

Passionate & aggressive people are needed for some functions in sports as well as life. These traits help them become successful at what they do where there talents may not have been enough. The sportrs industry is flooded with superstars who have tamper problems.

You want a dragon, it'll blow fire.

You're really talking like pagol-chagol. Rafiq had a quarrel with bashar during the last zim tour cause he didn't think Rafiq was better than Ray Price and BD lost the next match to loose the series. Now that is quit a positive effect of aggressive nature.

Edited on, January 27, 2005, 8:16 PM GMT, by aftitabi.

I am talking about the larger context and you are talking about a specific issue. I am sure he was wrong about that just like many other times. And he will be wrong many more times. Remember, Michael Jordan, the thrill seaker went to gamble all night long and was blamed for his team's loss the next day. He was wrong and he made a lot of other bad decisions. But, he and his extreme traits make you win. I hope you know what I am getting to.

Bat-PadTogether

January 27, 2005, 05:36 PM

The most senior Player of our team has such temparment?Just unbelieveable?We really dont know what is true?Rafique has done it in the past but he must be careful!Lets hope and pray Rafique shows tomorrow that he is a part of our team and shows his ability with both bat and ball.

al

January 27, 2005, 05:43 PM

he needs a crash course and needs to calm down

pagol-chagol

January 27, 2005, 06:08 PM

oh how fast the fans will ditch him when Rafiq's talents will fade and/or Enamul catches up with him!

what Rafique did is punishable and that shud be done after the series and same goes for Hunt. But Rafique do need a course on anger management.

BangladeshFan

January 27, 2005, 07:12 PM

we need rafiq more than hunt.........what is the job of the physio? why do we need him by paying so much money.

Sl won the world cup with a vuriwala(but efficient ) ranatunga , didnt they? just eating "shak" and "dal" will keep us fit, best source for protein and vitamin:lol:

Fazal

January 27, 2005, 07:50 PM

Rafique misses John Gloster. That's the problem. Bring John Gloster back with double salary.

Zobair

January 27, 2005, 07:54 PM

Well! its official! Rafique has a temper problem...Hopefully he will work on it...but more importantly he should have the good sense to know afterwards that he was out of line and that he needs to apologise. Not everyone is the same...Every team will have its colourful characters...qualities that may help you on-field may get you into trouble off it...as long as everyone concerned keeps it in perspective! Discipline is key and the law should be laid down in a manner in which it is most effective.

sutru

January 27, 2005, 11:50 PM

u know what i say rafiq is a tiger . what ever he does , for that some thing cause always left in behind. rafiq only said shut up and raise his bat, but if i am in the rafiq place than i should hit the physico and brake his head in two picecs.

shaoun

January 28, 2005, 12:07 AM

mohammed rafique has some atitude problem. but he is one of our most valuable player if not the most valuable player. i hope he can keep his temper down because he is the most senior player in the team. he needs to set good example for the young players. i hope he uses him anger in next two matches and rocks zimbabwes batting.

bangloboy

January 28, 2005, 12:10 AM

Rafique's market was on fire? Which one, Banga bazaar?

And what happened last time with Bash in Jeembabwe?

Flip Master Mick

January 28, 2005, 01:25 AM

it is unfortunate that we are passing judgement on Rafique without actually knowing what went down during the practice session... people, don't forget that we are after all hot headed bangalis... tto my fellow expats - stop acting white, will ya? anger management counseling doesn't apply for our cricketers... they are already too docile to the point of being effeminate... the guy just lost his investments... add to that our dismal performance in the first two games... give our true tiger a break...

Zobair

January 28, 2005, 07:35 AM

then you definitely need to see a shrink! :)

Originally posted by sutru
u know what i say rafiq is a tiger . what ever he does , for that some thing cause always left in behind. rafiq only said shut up and raise his bat, but if i am in the rafiq place than i should hit the physico and brake his head in two picecs.

Sam

January 28, 2005, 08:46 AM

Originally posted by Flip Master Mick
it is unfortunate that we are passing judgement on Rafique without actually knowing what went down during the practice session... the guy just lost his investments... add to that our dismal performance in the first two games... give our true tiger a break...
I agree. But he should not lose his temperament and shout with offensive gesture. I believe M. Rafiq was at the end of his patience after all the negatives happened to him and to the team and country.
Let's hope he calms his anger by taking more wickets and scoring more runs tomorrow.

aosaif

January 28, 2005, 09:59 AM

Bloody crap. Because of this incident our team might go down!

Fazal

January 28, 2005, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by sutru
u know what i say rafiq is a tiger . what ever he does , for that some thing cause always left in behind. rafiq only said shut up and raise his bat, but if i am in the rafiq place than i should hit the physico and brake his head in two picecs.

and then go to jail for 1st degree murder. Ok may be not (for you), you may have a Mama.... but Rafique doesn't have any. Therefore he would be in jail by now.

mwrkhan

January 28, 2005, 10:59 AM

Maybe Rafique is frustrated that Enamul Huque jr. has stolen his thunder a wee bit.

pagol-chagol

January 28, 2005, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by pagol-chagol

posted on 1/27/2005 at 01:44 PM
you guys are making a big deal out of a small incident. This won't change anything.

Passionate & aggressive people are needed for some functions in sports as well as life. These traits help them become successful at what they do where there talents may not have been enough. The sportrs industry is flooded with superstars who have tamper problems.

You want a dragon, it'll blow fire.

Originally posted by pagol-chagol

posted on 1/27/2005 at 06:08 PM
oh how fast the fans will ditch him when Rafiq's talents will fade and/or Enamul catches up with him!

what Rafique did is punishable and that shud be done after the series and same goes for Hunt. But Rafique do need a course on anger management.

As you can see my first post stated how insignificant this issue is...

People came down so hard on him for this. Once his skills erode and his temper escalates with age he will be treated worse than a used tampons by most of his current fans. Got it?

I hope this explanation will convince you not to send me to a psychatrist as my insurance only covers 30 visits a year and I have used it all up already.

Fazal

January 28, 2005, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by pagol-chagol

I hope this explanation will convince you not to send me to a psychatrist as my insurance only covers 30 visits a year and I have used it all up already.

Its just January 28. And you already used all of them? :-/

Session in every day plus couple of double session per day.... Matha ta tahole Bhaloee Kharap.

Hmmmm.. Have you thought about that mental hospital in BD?

Edited on, January 28, 2005, 6:00 PM GMT, by Fazal.

dancin in the rain

January 28, 2005, 01:05 PM

Well it looks like we all are one-sidedly blaming Rafique for the whole incidence. We are not thinking about the other side of the story. We don't know what the physio said to him. It might be something really really offending..... and that's why raqfique reacted so oddly. Before bashing Rafiq we should have known that part too. You guys are giving David Hunt a free pass.....wow!!!!

Blah

January 28, 2005, 01:24 PM

What could be so offensive that someone would raise a bat to hit someone in front of his opponents, his team, journalists and all the well-wishers who were watching them practice?

If anyone says something offending to me, I don't raise a bat and chiase him through the ground I would confront him verbally. The fact that he is one of the senior-most-talented player in the team, and the fact he is a hero and idol to most yougster, and that he has done it before (with the captain) leaves a bad taste.

Last time he had a fight because (if I recall correctly) someone suggested that Enam (or someone else) was a better bowler than him. Go figure.

I admit he is a great asset to our team, and he has proved himself several times over; but nothing gives him a passport to do whatever he wants. he is a professional cricketer not a "chipa-goli" player.

Having said all that, I hope he gets his **** together before the next game.

Blah

pagol-chagol

January 28, 2005, 01:46 PM

give rafiq a break
Actually give him 100 breaks.
And worship him the rest of your life.

If Rafiq wasn't born
most fans,even of this board, would have been rightfully screaming to take BD test status away. Before he came we could get any team all out, remember? It was a horrendous display of cricket. Any confidence we have in anything now, he started it.

He came and saved us.

Any doubts about that?

Blah

January 28, 2005, 01:51 PM

pagol, you are truely talking like one. No wonder.

He served the team well doesnt give him a righ to do whatever he wants. Maybe it's acceptable for you. But not everyone shares your level of tolerance. When you do it once, its a mistake when you do it again, its intentional.

No I will not give him a break, again.

Blah

pagol-chagol

January 28, 2005, 02:32 PM

Blah - he didn't do anything to get prosecuted, it seems.

Why are blowing it out of proportion.

He didn't do "whatever". He said shut up to someone. So what. He can say "shut up' to anyone other than whatmore and his other gurus. Michael Jordan only respected Phil Jackson.

Blah

January 28, 2005, 02:44 PM

"Mohammad Rafique barely escaped disciplinary action ten months after he was forced to fly back home from Harare following a heated exchange with his captain Habibul Bashar.

The experienced left-arm spinner, who missed the first three one-day games because of a strained hamstring, lost his composure for the second time while going through a fitness test at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

This time the leading wicket-taker of the country engaged in a verbal war with team physio Robbie Hunt at the latter stage of a gruelling one-hour fitness test.

A visibly excited Rafique, who was at that time practising running between the wickets, furiously raised his bat at Hunt before fitness trainer Stuart Karpinnen intervened.

The unsavory incident stunned members of both the Bangladesh and Zimbabwe teams, who were also training at the time.

Rafique then walked off the ground with his head hanging over his shoulder and stayed inside the dressing room for the reminder of the training. "

I assume you read it?

BangladeshFan

January 28, 2005, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by pagol-chagol
Blah - he didn't do anything to get prosecuted, it seems.

Why are blowing it out of proportion.

He didn't do "whatever". He said shut up to someone. So what. He can say "shut up' to anyone other than whatmore and his other gurus. Michael Jordan only respected Phil Jackson.

i agree with pagol-chagol.:P

just saying shut up to someone or raising bat is not that a great offence when you consider an incident where wasim akram punched amir sohail ........ and surprise surprise , they played together in many matches after that. It is sports, physical stuff, players are going to have hot heads and they know that themselves more or less, but not us armchair supporters

shaad

January 28, 2005, 05:31 PM

Two points:

1) Yes, we don't know what caused Rafique's outburst. And if the physiotherapist said something offensive then, yes, he too should be held responsible.

2) However, that's doesn't excuse his raising his bat at someone.

There are some of you here who point at bratty superstars and use them as examples for condoning rude behaviour. Just because those "icons" of yours never learnt good sportsmanship is no reason for our boys to emulate them.